Swing training system for use with a baseball bat

ABSTRACT

A swing training system for use with a baseball bat is described herein. The swing training system includes a weighted band that is adapted to be removably coupled to a baseball bat. The weighted band includes a body that extends between a forward edge and a rear edge and has an outer surface and an inner surface. The inner surface extends between the forward edge and the rear edge and defines a positioning cavity that is configured to receive the baseball bat therethrough. The body is formed of a flexible material to facilitate coupling the weighted band about a perimeter of the baseball bat via a friction fit. The body has a predefined weight to facilitate increasing the overall weight of the baseball bat during use.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/039,106, filed Aug. 19, 2014, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The subject matter disclosed herein relates generally to swing training systems, and more particularly, to a flexible weighted swing training device for use with a baseball bat

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

At least some known baseball swing training devices include a round plastic-coated solid lead weight that is slid over a baseball bat to increase the overall weight of the baseball bat. The lead weight has a diameter that is smaller than the diameter of the bat barrel so the lead weight can be slide over the bat handle towards the barrel and contacts the bat barrel to secure the lead weight to the bat as the player swings the bat and weight during practice swings. The lead weight is removed by sliding the lead weight over the handle.

Because baseball bats may have different barrel diameters and lengths, when known swing training devices are placed onto the baseball bat, the location of the center-of-gravity of the bat is changed due to the weight and location of the training device on the bat. As such, the overall swing mechanics of the player are undesirable altered to adjust to the change in the center-of-gravity location. This results in an undesirable change in the player's swing mechanics. In addition, because of the large size of known swing training devices, these devices cannot be used with the baseball bat when hitting baseballs during batting practice.

Accordingly, there is a need to provide a swing training device that does not change the location of the center-of-gravity of the baseball bat and does not adversely affect the swing mechanics of the player. In addition, there is a need to provide a swing training device that is safe for use with the bat during batting practice. The present invention is aimed at the addressing the needs identified above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a swing training device for use with a baseball bat is provided. The swing training device includes a weighted band that is adapted to be removably coupled to a baseball bat. The weighted band includes a body that extends between a forward edge and a rear edge and has an outer surface and an inner surface. The inner surface extends between the forward edge and the rear edge and defines a positioning cavity that is configured to receive the baseball bat therethrough. The body is formed of a flexible material to facilitate coupling the weighted band about a perimeter of the baseball bat via a friction fit. The body has a predefined weight to facilitate increasing the overall weight of the baseball bat during use.

In another aspect of the present invention, a swing training system is provided. The swing training system includes a baseball bat and a weighted band that is adapted to be removably coupled to the baseball bat. The weighted band includes a body that has an inner surface extending between a forward edge and a rear edge. The inner surface defines a positioning cavity that is configured to receive the baseball bat therethrough. The body is formed of a flexible material to facilitate coupling the weighted band about a perimeter of the baseball bat via a friction fit. The body has a predefined weight to facilitate increasing the overall weight of the baseball bat during use.

In yet another aspect of the present invention, a swing training system for use with a baseball bat is provided. The swing training system includes a plurality of weighted bands. Each of the weighted bands is adapted to be removably coupled to the baseball bat. Each weighted band includes a body that extends between a forward edge and a rear edge and has an outer surface and an inner surface. The inner surface extends between the forward edge and the rear edge and defines a positioning cavity configured to receive the baseball bat therethrough. The body is formed of a flexible material to facilitate coupling the weighted band about a perimeter of the baseball bat via a friction fit. The plurality of weighted bands includes a first weighted band and a second weighted band. The first weighted band is positioned adjacent an outer surface of the baseball bat. The second weighted band is positioned about a perimeter of the first weighted band such that the first weighted band is positioned between the second weighted band and the baseball bat.

In a further aspect of the present invention, a swing training system for use with a baseball bat is provided. The swing training system includes a baseball bat and a flexible weighted band that is adapted to be removably coupled to a baseball bat to increase an overall weight of the baseball bat. The flexible weighted band includes a body and a plurality of weighted members coupled to the body. The body includes a forward edge, a rear edge, an inner surface, and an outer surface, and has a substantially cylindrical shape. The body extends radially between the inner surface and the outer surface and between the forward edge and the rear edge along a centerline axis. The inner surface defines a positioning cavity that extends between the forward edge and the rear edge along the centerline axis. The positioning cavity is sized and shaped to receive a portion of the baseball bat therethrough. The body is formed of flexible material that allows a diameter of the body to expand and/or contract to enable the flexible weighted band to be positioned about a perimeter of the baseball bat to facilitate removably coupling the flexible weighted band to the baseball bat via a friction fit. The plurality of weighted members are coupled to the body and are each formed of a material having a per unit weight that is greater than a per unit weight of the body.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front view of a swing training system including a swing training device for use with a baseball bat, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the swing training device shown in FIG. 1 in a deformed condition;

FIGS. 3-5 are schematic side views of the swing training device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a schematic front view of the swing training device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a schematic side view of the swing training device shown in FIG. 6;

FIGS. 8 and 9 are schematic views of the swing training device shown in FIG. 1, according to embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is another schematic front view of the swing training device shown in FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a schematic side view of the swing training device shown in FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is another schematic front view of the swing training device shown in FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a schematic side view of the swing training device shown in FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is another schematic front view of the swing training device shown in FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a schematic side view of the swing training device shown in FIG. 14;

FIGS. 16-18 are perspective views of the swing training system shown in FIG. 1, according to embodiments of the present invention; and

FIGS. 19-23 are additional views of the swing training system shown in FIG. 1, according to embodiments of the present invention.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With reference to the drawings and in operation, the invention overcomes at least some disadvantages of swing training devices by providing a swing training system that includes a swing training device that increases the overall weight of a baseball bat without altering a location of a center-of-gravity of the baseball bat and changing the player's swing mechanics. In addition, the swing training system is configured to be used while the player uses the bat to strike baseballs during batting practice.

In general, the purpose of the swing training system is to incrementally strengthen the muscles and body physics resulting in increased “bat speed” and strength to allow a batter to hit the baseball harder and farther. This is accomplished by specifically increasing the weight of the bat slightly so the batter's swing and the dynamics/weight distribution of the bat are unchanged. As the batter swings and hits in a practice setting, with an increased weighted bat, the muscles will then strengthen no different than a typical weight training exercise. As the batter continues to utilize the swing training device, and move up the specific weight variations, it is only going to increase in overall strength without jeopardizing the form or hitting mechanics of a batter.

Therefore, when the swing training device is removed and the bat is utilized without the swing training device, the bat will be lighter than what the player has been training their muscles with, thus increased “bat speed” due to the increased strength of the muscles. Therefore, theoretically the batter will be able to hit a baseball harder and farther.

In one embodiment, the swing training device includes a rubber like, circular, durable, flexible, independently weighted band that would be placed on the bat. The swing training system may include a plurality of flexible, weighted bands. Each flexible, weighted band would be designed with a predefined specific weigh, and would specifically increase in weight from one size to the next. (e.g. the system may include a first band having a weight equal to about 0.25 oz, and a plurality of weighted bands each having an increasing predefined weight including 0.5 oz, 0.75 oz, 1 oz, 1.25 oz, 1.5 oz, 1.75 oz, 2 oz, 2.25 oz, etc.) This would continue until desired ending weight of the set of flexible, weighted bands. The bands could or could not increase in size, depending on the decided material and how the weight is applied to each band. Each band may also be designed with a specific diameter, circumference, and surface area that would address multiple size bat barrels for all sports.

In the illustrated embodiment, during use of the swing training system, a user utilizing the swing training device would find the center/balance point of the particular bat by moving the user's finger up and down the barrel of the bat until the bat is balanced parallel to the ground on that one point of contact with the finger. Once the center/balance point of the bat has been located, the user may mark the center/balance point location on the bat. The user may then select an appropriate weighted swing training device flexible, weighted band, starting at the lowest weight included in a set of swing training devices, and move the selected swing training device over the handle of the bat and slide the flexible, weighted band up to the marked spot stretching the band appropriately until it rests specifically on the marked center/balance point of the bat. The flexible, weight band is designed for use with the bat and now the bat can be utilized to hit in a practice setting with the weighted band coupled to the bat.

In one embodiment, the swing training device may be designed to be used with any type of bat (wood, metal, baseball, softball, little league, etc . . . ). The swing training device may be utilized during hitting practice. The swing training system utilizes the concept of increased weight training for gaining strength. The swing training device may be placed on the center/balancing point of the bat so that the device does not disrupt the “feel” or weight distribution of the bat. The swing training device may include a strong, durable, flexible material like Polyurethane such that if a ball were to hit the device, the swing training device would resist breaking and would have the ability to incrementally increase in weight. Each flexible, weighted band may be color coded to depict the level on weight increase. The swing training device may be an injection molded product.

A selected embodiment of the invention will now be explained with reference to the drawings. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure that the following description of the embodiment of the invention is provided for illustration only and not for the purpose of limiting the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

FIG. 1 is a front view of a swing training system 10 including a swing training device 12 that may be used with a baseball bat 14. FIG. 2 is a front view of the swing training device 12. FIGS. 3-15 are various views of the swing training device 12. FIGS. 16-23 are perspective views of the swing training system 10 including the swing training device 12 positioned on the baseball bat 14.

In the illustrated embodiment, the swing training system 10 includes a swing training device 12 that is adapted to be used with a baseball bat 14. The swing training device 12 includes a flexible weighted band 16 adapted to be removably coupled to the baseball bat 14. The flexible weighted band 16 includes a body 18 that includes a forward edge 20, a rear edge 22, an inner surface 24, and an outer surface 26. The body 18 has a substantially cylindrical shape and extends between the forward edge 20 and the rear edge 22 along a centerline axis 30, and radially between the inner surface 24 and the outer surface 26. The weighted band 16 includes an inner diameter D_(I) defined by the inner surface 24 and an outer diameter D_(O) defined by the outer surface 26. The inner surface 24 defines a positioning cavity 28 that extends between the forward edge 20 and the rear edge 22 along the centerline axis 30. The positioning cavity 28 is sized and shaped to receive the bat 14 therethrough. In the illustrated embodiment, referring to FIG. 3, the weighted band 16 includes a uniform inner diameter D_(I) and a uniform outer diameter D_(O) extending between the forward edge 20 and the rear edge 22. In one embodiment, shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the weighted band 16 may include a first outer diameter D_(O1) defined at the forward edge 20 and a second outer diameter D_(O2) defined at the rear edge 22 that is larger than the first outer diameter D_(O1). Similarly, in one embodiment, shown in FIG. 4, the weighted band 16 may have a first inner diameter D_(I1) defined at the forward edge 20 and a second inner diameter D_(I2) defined at the rear edge 22 that is larger than the first inner diameter D_(I1).

The body 18 is formed from flexible material allowing the body 18 to expand and contract to enable the flexible weighted band 16 to be positioned about a perimeter of the baseball bat 14 and at various locations along the length of the bat 14 to facilitate removably coupling the swing training device 12 to the baseball bat 14 via a friction fit. The body 18 includes a width W₁ measured between the forward edge 20 and the rear edge 22 along the centerline axis 30, and a thickness T₁ measured radially between the inner surface 24 and the outer surface 26.

In the illustrated embodiment, the swing training device 12 includes a plurality of weighted members 32 that are coupled to the body 18. Each weighted member 32 is formed form a material having a per unit weight that is greater than a per unit weight of the body 18. In one embodiment, the material may include a metal such as lead, tungsten, and/or any suitable metal. In another embodiment, the weighted material may include a heavy plastic flexible material. In the illustrated embodiment, the weighted members 32 are embedded within the body 18 (shown in FIGS. 6 and 7) and positioned between the forward edge 20 and the rear edge 22, and between the inner surface 24 and the outer surface 26 such that the body 18 substantially encapsulates each of the weighted members 32. In addition, the weighted members 32 may be evenly spaced about the centerline axis 30. In another embodiment, one or more weighted members 32 may be coupled to the outer surface 26 of the body 18 (shown in FIGS. 8 and 9). In addition, one or more weighted members 32 may be embedded within the body 18, coupled to the outer surface 26, and/or coupled to the inner surface 24.

In one embodiment, the swing training device 12 may include a viewing opening 34 (shown in FIGS. 10 and 11) that extends through the body 18 from the inner surface 24 to the outer surface 26. In addition, the system 10 may include the baseball bat 14 having a positioning marking 36 that extends around an outer surface 26 of the baseball bat 14 and is orientated with respect to a location of a center-of-gravity (represented by arrow 38) of the baseball bat 14 (shown in FIGS. 19 and 20). The positioning marking 36 allows the player to properly position the swing training device 12 at the baseball bat center-of-gravity. The swing training device 12 is orientated about the location of the center-of-gravity 38 of the baseball bat 14 such that the positioning marking 36 is visible through the viewing opening 34.

In one embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 21-23, the baseball bat 14 may include a groove 40 that is defined along the outer surface of the baseball bat 14. The groove 40 may be sized and shaped to receive the swing training device 12 therein such that the outer surface 26 of the flexible band 16 is substantially flush with the outer surface of the baseball bat 14.

Referring to FIGS. 12-15, in one embodiment, the swing training device 12 may include one or more positioning keys 42 that extend outwardly from the body 18 and are spaced about the centerline axis 30. In addition, the swing training device 12 may include one or more recessed portions 44 that are spaced about the centerline axis 30. Each recessed portion 44 includes an interior surface 46 that defines a recessed chamber 48 that is sized and shaped to receive a corresponding positioning key 42 therein. In one embodiment, one or more positioning keys 42 may extend radially outwardly from the outer surface 26, as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15. In another embodiment, one or more positioning keys 42 may extend radially inwardly from the inner surface 24 (shown in FIGS. 12 and 16). In addition, one or more recessed portions 44 may be defined along the outer surface 26 of the body 18 (shown in FIGS. 12 and 13) and/or be defined along the inner surface 24 of the body 18 (shown in FIG. 14). In one embodiment, the baseball bat 14 may include a corresponding recessed chamber 48 that is sized and shaped to receive a corresponding weighted band positioning key 42 therein to facilitate coupling the swing training device 12 to the baseball bat 14. In another embodiment, the baseball bat 14 may include a positioning key 42 that extends outwardly from an outer surface of the bat 14 and is sized and shaped to be received within a corresponding recessed chamber 48 defined along an inner surface of the swing training device 12.

Referring to FIGS. 16-18, in one embodiment, the swing training device 12 may include a first flexible weighted band 50 and a second flexible weighted band 52. The first flexible weighted band 50 is sized and shaped to be positioned around a perimeter of the baseball bat 14. The second flexible weighted band 52 is sized and shaped to be positioned over the outer surface of the first flexible weighted band 50. The second flexible weighted band 52 includes that includes a plurality of positioning keys 42 that extending radially inwardly from the inner surface of the second flexible weighted band 52. The first flexible weighted band 50 includes a plurality of recessed portions 44 that are defined along the outer surface of the first flexible weighted band 50. Each recessed portion 44 includes a recess chamber 48 that is sized and shaped to receive a corresponding positioning key 42 therein to facilitate removably coupling the second flexible weighted band 52 with the first flexible weighted band 50.

The first flexible weighted band 50 is positioned around a perimeter of the baseball bat 14. The second flexible weighted band 52 is positioned about a perimeter of the first flexible weighted band 50 such that the first flexible weighted band 50 is positioned between the second flexible weighted band 52 and the baseball bat 14.

In the illustrated embodiment, each of the flexible weighted bands 50 and 52 has an inner diameter D_(I) and an outer diameter D_(O). The second weighted band 52 may include an inner diameter that is larger than the inner diameter of the first weighted band. In addition, the second flexible weighted band 52 may include an inner diameter is larger than the outer diameter of the first flexible weighted band 50.

Exemplary embodiments of a swing training device for use with a baseball bat are described above in detail. The apparatus is not limited to the specific embodiments described herein, but rather, components of the apparatus may be utilized independently and separately from other components and/or steps described herein. For example, the apparatus may also be used in combination with other swing training systems, and are not limited to practice with only the swing training system as described herein. Rather, the exemplary embodiment can be implemented and utilized in connection with many other applications.

This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal language of the claims.

While the invention has been described in terms of various specific embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention may be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A swing training device for use with a baseball bat, comprising: a weighted band adapted to be removably coupled to a baseball bat, the weighted band including a body extending between a forward edge and a rear edge and having an outer surface and an inner surface, the inner surface extending between the forward edge and the rear edge and defining a positioning cavity configured to receive the baseball bat therethrough, the body being formed of a flexible material to facilitate coupling the weighted band about a perimeter of the baseball bat via a friction fit, the body having a predefined weight to facilitate increasing the overall weight of the baseball bat during use.
 2. A swing training device in accordance with claim 1, the weighted band including a viewing opening extending through the body from the inner surface to an outer surface of the body.
 3. A swing training device in accordance with claim 1, the weighted band including a positioning key extending outwardly from the body.
 4. A swing training device in accordance with claim 3, the baseball bat including a recessed chamber defined along the outer surface of the baseball bat, the positioning key extending radially inwardly from the inner surface of the weighted band and configured to be positioned within the recessed chamber to facilitate coupling the weighted band to the baseball bat.
 5. A swing training device in accordance with claim 1, the weighted band including a recessed portion defined within the body, the recessed portion including an interior surface defining a recessed chamber.
 6. A swing training device in accordance with claim 5, the baseball bat including a positioning key extending radially outwardly from the outer surface of the baseball bat, the recessed chamber being defined along the inner surface of the weighted band and configured to receive the positioning key therein to facilitate coupling the weighted band to the baseball bat.
 7. A swing training device in accordance with claim 1, the weighted band including a weighted member coupled to the body, the weighted member including a material having a weight that is greater than a weight of the body.
 8. A swing training device in accordance with claim 7, the weighted member being embedded within the body and positioned between the forward edge and the rear edge, and between the inner surface and the outer surface such that the body substantially encapsulates the weighted member.
 9. A swing training system, comprising: a baseball bat; and a weighted band adapted to be removably coupled to the baseball bat, the weighted band including a body having an inner surface extending between a forward edge and a rear edge, the inner surface defining a positioning cavity configured to receive the baseball bat therethrough, the body being formed of a flexible material to facilitate coupling the weighted band about a perimeter of the baseball bat via a friction fit, the body having a predefined weight to facilitate increasing the overall weight of the baseball bat during use.
 10. A swing training system in accordance with claim 9, the baseball bat including a groove defined along the outer surface of the baseball bat, the groove configured to receive the weighted band therein such that an outer surface of the weighted band is substantially flush with the outer surface of the baseball bat.
 11. A swing training system in accordance with claim 9, the baseball bat including a recessed chamber defined along the outer surface of the baseball bat, the weighted band including a positioning key extending radially inwardly from the inner surface of the weighted band and configured to be positioned within the recessed chamber to facilitate coupling the weighted band to the baseball bat.
 12. A swing training system in accordance with claim 9, the baseball bat including a positioning key extending radially outwardly from the outer surface of the baseball bat, the weighted band including a recessed chamber being defined along the inner surface of the weighted band and configured to receive the positioning key therein to facilitate coupling the weighted band to the baseball bat.
 13. A swing training system in accordance with claim 9, the weighted band including a viewing opening extending through the body from the inner surface to an outer surface of the body.
 14. A swing training system in accordance with claim 9, the weighted band including weighted member coupled to the body, the weighted member including a material having a weight that is greater than a weight of the body.
 15. A swing training system in accordance with claim 14, the weighted member being embedded within the body and positioned between the forward edge and the rear edge, and between the inner surface and an outer surface of the body such that the body substantially encapsulates the weighted member.
 16. A swing training system for use with a baseball bat, comprising: a plurality of weighted bands, each of the weighted bands being adapted to be removably coupled to the baseball bat, each weighted band including a body extending between a forward edge and a rear edge and having an outer surface and an inner surface, the inner surface extending between the forward edge and the rear edge and defining a positioning cavity configured to receive the baseball bat therethrough, the body being formed of a flexible material to facilitate coupling the weighted band about a perimeter of the baseball bat via a friction fit, the plurality of weighted bands including a first weighted band and a second weighted band, the first weighted band being positioned adjacent an outer surface of the baseball bat, the second weighted band positioned about a perimeter of the first weighted band such that the first weighted band is positioned between the second weighted band and the baseball bat.
 17. A swing training system in accordance with claim 16, each weighted band including a positioning key extending outwardly from the body.
 18. A swing training system in accordance with claim 17, each weighted band including a recessed portion defined within the body, the recessed portion including an interior surface defining a recessed chamber that is configured to receive a corresponding positioning key therein.
 19. A swing training system in accordance with claim 16, the first weighted band including a weight that is different than a weight of the second weighted band.
 20. A swing training system in accordance with claim 16, the first weighted band including a positioning key extending radially outwardly from the outer surface of the first weighted band, the second weighted band including a recessed portion defined within the inner surface of the second weighted band, the recessed portion including an interior surface defining a recessed chamber that is configured to receive the positioning key therein to facilitate coupling the second weighted band to the first weighted band. 